Ford cutting thousands of jobs, shuttering major production plant in Europe

Workers embrace as they react to job loss news in front of the Ford factory in Genk, Belgium on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. On Wednesday the Ford Motor Co. announced it would close one of its main factories in eastern Belgium by the end of 2014 in a move that will result in 4,500 direct job losses and 5,000 more among subcontractors. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

DEARBORN, MI- Ford Motor Co. will cut 4,300 jobs and shutter a major production plant in Europe, officials announced today.

The closing of its Genk Plant in Belgium, which produces the next-generation Ford Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy, will occur by the end of 2014. Officials say it is part of the Dearborn-based automaker’s new proposal to restructure its Europe manufacturing operations as part of a “comprehensive plan to respond to structural market changes and deliver profitable growth in the region.”

“The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford’s business in Europe and to return to profitable growth,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, in a statement.

According to the Associated Press, the plant closing also will result in 5,000 more job losses among subcontractors, bringing the cuts to about 9,500 workers.